Older Parker Thatch-o-matic needs new engine

[dklawnservice]

How would I go about finding this out... Can I just plop any old briggs or honda in there if the shaft size matches ?? It's been acting up and with 30+ more de-thatch jobs to do, I'd like for it to last. I'm probably gonna have to rent one for the time being until I can drop new power onto mine.

Any suggestions? It's currently a 5hp Briggs easy pull

[Restrorob]

The shaft size and length must be the same for any brand as you mentioned. But going from a older 'L' head (valve in block) engine to a OHV (over head valve) engine you want to measure the crankshaft height from the mount base area to the center of the crank, Newer OHV engines have a lower crank to mount base measurement requiring spacing the OHV engine up off the mount base on certain applications.

[dklawnservice]

I scored a Ryan de thatcher off craigslist from a landscaper that was in excellent shape. 340 bucks and I'm back in business again. BTW, the replacement engine from Briggs is between $480-$610. Ouch!

I think I can just drop any old Briggs on there. There is endless room for modifications and clearences and as long as the pully matches up with the bottom pully, shaft and overhead valves shouldn't make a big deal... right?... I can always get a shorter or longer belt... couldn't I ??

[Restrorob]

overhead valves shouldn't make a big deal... right?... I can always get a shorter or longer belt... couldn't I ??

Good questions, Sorry I don't have answers. See....In my area machines such as this aren't used therefore I have never seen one up close and personal.

I mentioned the crank height difference because I ran into that problem re-powering a walk behind parking lot blower, Had to shim the engine up about 3/4" to center the impeller back into the housing.

[dklawnservice]

Had to shim the engine up about 3/4" to center the impeller back into the housing.


I took both thatchers over to my dad's house for him to adjust high speed mix and to take a look at the blown up Briggs on the Parker... Anyways, he got Ryan De-thatcher to purr at all rpm's and on the Parker, we did a quick oil change and changed the gear lube in the gear lube thingy-ma-bobber and it fired up.

He examined the mounts on the Briggs and has came to the same conclusion I did... Any engine should work as long as the upper and lower pully match up and the tensioner can engage the belt.

As of right now, the Ryan will be the primary and if I do a big yard, the Parker will be the back-up. He says it may not be able to be ran for hours like it was, but I know now how to keep a better eye on it so it hopefully lasts a bit longer (until I justify a new engine) Damn that Parker is built. I can stand on it, it's very heavy gauge steel and I put heavy duty wheels on it) If I can figure out how to get a pic up here, I'll post a pic of the two together.

Thanks for your help